In a landmark first judgment as Chief Justice of India (CJI), Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai has struck down a 1998 land transfer deal in Pune, calling it illegal and “alarming.”
In his debut ruling as Chief Justice of India, Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai delivered a powerful judgment that reverberates across India’s governance and environmental landscape.
The Supreme Court has declared illegal the 1998 transfer of 11.86 acres of forest land in Kondhwa Budruk, Pune by the Maharashtra Revenue Department to a private builder—Richie Rich Colony—despite strong objections from the state’s own Forest Department. The court also nullified the environmental clearance granted to the housing project, calling it “unlawful.”
“Classic Nexus”: Court Points to Political Collusion
The top court noted with concern the “alarming urgency” with which the land-use classification was changed in July–August 1998, hinting at high-level political interference.
“The urgency and manner in which the land use was altered suggests direct participation of the then revenue minister,” the bench observed.
Calling it a “classic example of the politician–bureaucrat–builder nexus,” the Supreme Court strongly criticized how forest land was handed over for non-forest use without due process.
National Implications: Orders for All States & UTs
This judgment has pan-India consequences. The Supreme Court has instructed all states and Union Territories to:
✅ Review all instances where forest land has been diverted for non-forest purposes.
✅ Restore such land to the respective forest departments.
✅ Hand over all government-controlled forest lands officially to the forest department.
✅ Ensure afforestation for land that was illegally converted.
“State authorities have no right to assign or lease forest land without obtaining approval from the Centre,” the bench ruled firmly.
While the specific case involved Kondhwa Budruk in Pune, the court’s ruling sets a powerful precedent. It reinforces the principle that no level of political office or developer influence can override environmental law, and that forest lands are a public trust, not for private plunder.
This ruling also aligns with India’s constitutional duty to protect its forests and natural resources under Article 48A and 51A(g).
Chief Justice Gavai’s first judgment delivers a strong message:
Green laws aren’t optional. Political shortcuts won’t pass judicial scrutiny.
This ruling could open the door to a wider crackdown on illegal forest land deals across India — and marks the beginning of a tenure focused on accountability, environmental justice, and restoring public faith in institutions.
(inputs -Business Standard)
